RISE stars Regular Joe teacher, Lou Mazzuchelli aka Lou Mazzu (aside: can we discuss how amazing this name is?) who aspires to take over his school’s struggling drama department. Also in the cast of characters includes the star football player with a hidden talent, a queen bee, a newcomer with an amazing voice, the kid with the overly strict parents, the disapproving school staff, and the skeptical spouse.

Now, if you’re reading this and thinking, “Hmm…this all seems oddly familiar. Didn’t someone do this show already?” You’re absolutely right. And it was called Glee.

RISE is essentially Glee filmed with Friday Night Lights-style cinematography. For the entire 40-some odd minutes I honestly just sat there and laughed at the similarities. And Glee definitely went off the rails relatively quickly, but you cannot deny that the pilot and the front 13 of the first season was immensely quality television. Comedy with heart. A ragtag group of kids who learn to love and respect each other while doing something they all love.

First things first, Josh Radnor cannot carry a show. I’m sorry. I do not understand why he keeps getting cast as a lead.

Secondly, granted, I went to Catholic school and our school plays consisted of a rotating schedule of Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, but is Spring Awakening like legitimately performed in high schools? It’s an AMAZING show, do not read me wrong. But this seems hella, super risque, especially for a school. And the fact that Lea MIchele aka Rachel Berry originated the role of Wendla is also just a fun coincidence.

Thirdly, if Robbie doesn’t have some variation of this conversation this season, I’ll eat a handful of Carolina Reapers:

Fourthly and tangently, RISE going the “we’re-going-to-blackmail-the-QB-into-auditioning” angle, it made me think of Finn and Will and the Chronic Lady and I got all sentimental because first season Glee, man…

For the remaining 10 episodes, I just hope that RISE separates itself from Glee and goes more the FNL route. I definitely think this show has potential and I am very much looking forward to hearing Spring Awakening music every week. I trust you, Jason Katims, but if you kill off Ted Mosby’s wife I will drop you like it’s hot.

If you’re not watching Crazy Ex-Girlfriend I feel sorry for you. If you refuse to watch the show because of its name or because it’s on The CW, I get it, but I still feel sorry for you. If the only reason you don’t watch is because it airs on Friday nights, 1) Congrats on your social life and 2) There’s a thing called The CW app.

The series starts out with Rebecca Bunch leaving her comfy life in NYC to move cross country to West Covina, California, after a run-in with her camp ex-boyfriend, Josh Chan. He off-handedly mentions his move to West Covina and she takes that as an invitation to follow him. Hence, the “crazy ex-girlfriend.”

But this show has graduated to so much more than that, dealing with mental illness rep as Rebecca struggles with depression, suicide ideation, and even gets an official diagnosis (more of that below). There’s a middle-aged main character who comes out as bi and knocks down every stereotype in the process. Every song is tongue in cheek and has me laughing in every episode.

I PROMISE you that this show is worth your while. Here is just a sampling of my favorite songs that the show has done over the past three years:

1. I Gave You a UTI

This is the first CXG song that made me laugh out loud. And as someone who grew up with a ton of UTIs (non-sex related), I loved this song even more. Also, BRING BACK GREG 2K18.

2. Ping Pong Girl

This alt-rock/emo type song is exactly what I loved in high school and still do today. And, whoa bros, listen to the lyrics–it’s hilarious.